Are you prepared to deal with a flood? How about a power outage? What’s your plan if there’s a hurricane coming? (Planning a hurricane party is not the correct answer.) If you have never planned for disaster, this is your time. September is National Preparedness Month, and the theme is designed to motivate. “Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.”
Throughout the month there have been weekly themes to encourage awareness and action. It culminates in the National PrepareAthon! Day on September 30. On that date, you are being asked to do a specific action step to move you and your family closer to feeling prepared for natural disasters. And, for those who want to take it further, go large with acts to make your neighborhood, workplace and community safer.
It begins by knowing your risks. Make yourself more aware of what may happen, and don’t get complacent thinking that “it can’t happen to me.” Every family needs a preparedness plan in place, one that is practiced before it’s needed. It’s the key to winning in adversity, such as being able to make the discomfort of a disaster such as a hurricane tolerable until life returns to normal.
Check out our resource library on disaster preparations, as well as http://www.ready.gov/, Reading through the information is a good first step, but putting the tips to work is essential. Here’s a great way to start, with an emergency communication plan. A natural disaster is stressful, of course, but not being able to get in touch with family is the worst part. Set up a contact plan and designate a meeting place in advance. It’s that simple and that important.
courtesy of iii.org